Alex Groza
In college, he won two NCAA championships as captain of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, and was a two-time All-NBA player for the Indianapolis Olympians before his career abruptly ended.Alex Groza led the Purple Riders to two undefeated regular seasons and to the Ohio state tournament both years, as Martins Ferry finished 24–1 in 1943 and 26–1 in 1944.Groza, along with Beard, attempted a comeback in late 1952 with the Jersey City Titans, formerly of the American Basketball League, but were barred by Judge Saul S. Streit from participating in any professional athletics while under probation.[12] After the Sails folded, he was named vice president and general manager of the San Diego Breakers of the International Volleyball Association on April 5, 1976.[13] After the team moved to Houston, Groza remained in San Diego, working as a sales manager for Reynolds International until his death.
Martins Ferry, OhioSan Diego, CaliforniaMartins FerryKentuckyBAA draftIndianapolis JetsCenterIndianapolis OlympiansBellarmineKentucky Colonels1974–1975San Diego ConquistadorsNBA All-StarAll-NBA First TeamNCAA championNCAA Final Four MOPAll-AmericanPointsReboundsAssistsBasketball ReferencebasketballOlympic Games1948 LondonTeam competitionCCNY point shaving scandalNational Basketball AssociationUniversity of Kentucky WildcatsMartins Ferry High SchoolLou GrozaRupp ArenaFabulous FiveNCAA Men's Basketball Championships1948 US Olympic basketball teamNCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player1949 BAA draftNational Basketball LeagueRalph BeardDale Barnstablepoint shaving scandalMaurice Podoloff1950–51Bob Pettit'64–65Paul Arizin'61–62Dražen Petrović'92–93American Basketball LeagueSaul S. StreitField goal3-point field goalFree throwStealsBlocks1949–50IndianapolisBellarmine CollegeLouisville, KentuckyAmerican Basketball AssociationWilt ChamberlainSan Diego SailsInternational Volleyball AssociationAmerican footballhall of fameplacekickerMallon, BillSports Reference LLCThe Journal HeraldUnited PressNewspapers.comThe Courier-JournalThe Knoxville News-SentinelThe Jersey JournalWayback MachineOlympics.comOlympediaThe New York TimesFind a GraveGene RhodesFrank RamseyBeryl ShipleyBellarmine Knights men's basketball head coachesBob ValvanoScott DavenportBellarmine Knights head baseball coachesTom MaloneMatt TynerLarry OwensChris DominguezKentucky Wildcats men's basketball 1947–48 NCAA championsJoe HollandWalter HirschJack ParkinsonCliff BarkerJim LineKenny RollinsWallace JonesJim JordanAdolph RuppHarry LancasterKentucky Wildcats men's basketball 1948–49 NCAA championsJoe HallNCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Most Outstanding PlayerHuffmannDallmarSailorsFerrinKurlandKaftanDambrotLovelletteRussellChamberlainBaylorHeymanHazzardBradleyChambersAlcindorPorterWaltonThompsonWashingtonBensonGivens